Brassiere



Jan. 19, 1965 M. LAGUZZI ETAL BRASSIERE Filed July 26, 1961 INVENTO Me/a Aevuzz/ fl/V/V/ M4 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,166,077 RRASSIERE Mario Laguzzi, Long Island (Iity, N.Y., Ann F. Martells,

Ridgewood, N.J., and Jack E. Robbins, Larchrnont, N.Y., assignors to Poirette Corsets, Inc., New Yerlr,

Filed July 25, 1961, Ser. No. 127,099 4 Claims. (Cl. 128-485) This invention relates to a brassiere and has as its primary object the provision of an improved brassiere which will support, restrain, and divide the breasts of the wearer in an improved manner.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a brassiere which will afiord maximum restraint and support, at the same time be extremely comfortable and feadily accommodating itself to the body movements of the wearer.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a brassiere which will readily conform itself to the contour of the breast, and which will provide primary resistance and restraint in the direction normally carrying the greatest strain.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision of a brassiere having lace or inelastic breast cups provided interiorly with insert portions of elastic material which restrain the sides and underside of the breast without extending over the top thereof.

A further specific object of the invention is the proized by reinforcing and bracing strips about the periphery thereof which resiliently engage the sides and bottom of the breast in stretchable relation.

A general object of the invention is the provision in a breast cup per se of an elastic section and an elastic reinforcing band therefor which affords resilient restraint without deforming the shape of the cup.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there are shown preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a'front elevational view of a brassiere constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, rear elevational' view showing the breast cup from the inner side with the elastic insert in position therein;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 4 is a modified form of construction showing the brassiere of the instant invention integrally formed with a foundation garment.

Similar reference characters refer to 1 similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail and more particularly to FiGURES 1, 2 and 3, the brassiere of the instant invention comprises a pair of front sections attain Patented Jan. 19., 1965 ice site, and they are basically of standard construction, each comprising an elastic strip 14 characterized by one-way stretch in a horizontal direction. A longitudinal upper reinforcing band 15 runs along theupper edge'of each strip 14 and a corresponding reinforcing band 16 along the lower edge. End reinforcing strips 17 and 18, of inelastic material, are provided with complementary hooks 19 and eyes 20 in the usual manner for fastening the garment at the rear of the wearer. Straps 21 of conventional construction extend from points 22 centrally of .the rear strips to buckles 23, which are secured to loops'24 secured to the tops of the front sections 10 and 11, all in conventional manner; Each strap 21 is provided with a partial elastic section 25 for facility in adjustment Each of the front sections 10 and 11 is identical to the other inopposite relation, and for the sake of simplicity, only the section 16 will be described in detail. The section is secured to a reinforcing strip 26 of inelastic material which may contain a vertical reinforcing insert 27 of relatively rigid flexible material, the strip being sewn on opposite sides to the adjacent end of the section 12 or 13 and the section 10. The sections 10 and 11 are separate, and each includes a central reinforcing strip 28, the central strips being sewn in aligned relation by a line of stitching 29. Strips inelastic material.

' The outer part of each central portion is comprised of a section or breast cup 30 of lace or similar inelastic material contoured to fit the breast, and is constrained at its lower edge by an inelastic band 31, which comprises a continuation of the lower band 16 of the side and end pieces, being aligned therewith. A horizontal, inelastic, reinforcing strip 32 extends across the portion 30 at a point below the nipple, and is joined at its center by a vertical reinforcing strip 33, also of inelastic material, which extends downwardly to the band 31. a g j The top of each cup is bound by an inelastic strip 34 which conforms to the upper contour of the breast, and which may be bound with a lace or other ornamental edging 35. I

Each cup is provided interiorly on each side thereof with an elastic insert 36 and 37, respectively, the inserts being connected at their tops 38 and 39 to the upper strip 34 and at their bottoms extending slightly more than halfway across the cup 30 or past the center strip 33 and secured to the lower band 31 as by means of zig-zag stitching 40 and 41. The material of the inserts is elastic,,but characterized by a one-way stretch in a vertical direction only. The side edges of the inserts are sewn asb-y lines or stitching 42 and 43 to the strips 23 and 26, respectively. An elastic reinforcing and supporting strip 44 is arcuately contoured to the inner side of insert 36 and securedat its lower end 45 to the strip 31 past the center strip 33 and a similar strip-e is arcuatelycontoured to the edge of the insert 37 and extends past the center line or the center strip 33 to the opposite side thereof and is similarly secured to the band 31 at its lower end. There is no securement between the strip 44 or 46 to the other or between the strips and the cup 30 so that the strips and their associated inserts are free to move independently of the cup sections 30 and afford proper restraint without material dislodgment of the outer contours of the brassiere 28 are preferably formed of 3 7 during movement of the wearer; Any desired number of additional reinforcing strips 48 and 49'extend diagonally across the inserts 36 and 37 from substantially the center of strips 28 and26, or from points slightly below the center, to the lower reinforcing band 31 and are suitably secured thereto as by stitching. A line of reinforcing stitching 50 and 51 extends along the inner side of strips 44and 45, respectively, the stitching being transverse to the direction of elasticity of the band so as not to interfere therewith.

It will thus be seen that the inner elastic inserts 36 and 3 7 as well as their reinforcingstrips 44 and 48 and 46 and 49 are completely disassociated from the outer lace covering and cup 30, and by the crossing of the lower ends of the strips 44 and 46 adjacent the strip 31 afford material freedom. of movement of the breast Within the cup, as Wellas material 'restraint to the sides and under, part thereof, without impeding the normal bodily movements of the wearer, or without affecting the outer contour afforded by the cup section 30.

. In the construction disclosed in FIGURE 4, the brassiere front sections generally indicated at a and 11a, respectively, are identical to those of the. previously described modification with the exception of the fact that the lower strip 31a, corresponding to the strip 31, is integrally'associated with a foundation garment 55,

which may be of any desired conventional construction,

as in Laguzzi Patent No. 2,628,355, dated February 17, 1953. Obviously, the application of the brassiere construction herein described is not limited to any particular type of foundation garment, but may be employed as an integral part of any suitable foundation garment.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved brassiere construction which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be reinforcing strips and on its bottom by an inelastic bottom strip and on its top by an arcuate inelastic top strip, respectively, a pair of elastic inserts interiorly of each cup portion, each insert extending along the bottom strip a distance slightly greater than half the distance between said first and second side strips, stitching securing each insert to the bottom strip and to the adjacent side reinforcing strip, and additional stitching securing the top of each insert along a relatively short portion of .said arcuate top strip adjacent the associated side strip, the tops of said elastic inserts being spaced from each other and thebottoms of said elastic inserts crossing but being unsecured to each other and unsecured to said cup portions, said inserts being comprised of one-way stretch elastic, stretchable only in a vertical direction,'an arcuate elastic reinforcing strip secured along the inner edge of each elastic insert, the bottom portions of said strips.

crossing in unsecured relation, and additional elastic reinforcing strips extending diagonally across an 'inter-" mediate portion of each insert.

3. In a brassiere construction, a pair of complementary front portions having first side edge reinforcing strips sewed together at the center, second reinforcing side strips along the opposite side edges, one-way stretch elastic side and back portions secured to the last mentioned reinforcing side strips with complementary fastening means at the ends of said back portions, each of said cup portion, each insert extending along the bottom strip.

a distance slightly'greater than half the distance between said first and second side strips, stitching securing each understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense We claim:

1. In a brassiere construction, a pair of complementary elastic side and back portionssecured to the'last mentioned reinforcing side strips with complementary fastening means at the ends of said back portions, each of said front portions comprising an inelastic cup portion bounded on its sides by one of said first and second side reinforcing strips and on its bottom by an inelastic bottom strip and on its top by an arcuate inelastic top strip, respectively, a pairof elastic inserts interiorly of each cup portion, each insert extending along the bottom strip a distance slightly greater than half the distance between said first and second side strips, stitching securing each insert to the bottom strip and to the adjacent side reinforcing strip, and additional stitching securing the top of each insert along a relatively short portion of said arcuate top strip adjacent the associated side strip, the tops of said elastic inserts being spaced from each other and the bottoms of said elastic inserts crossing but being unsecured to each other andunsecured to said cup portions, said inserts being. comprised of one-way stretch elastic, stretchable only in 'a vertical direction, and an arcuate elastic reinforcing strip secured along the inner edge of each elastic insert, the bottom portions of said strips crossing in unsecured relation.

2. In a brassiere construction, a pair of complementary front portions having first side edge reinforcing strips sewed together at the center, second reinforcing side strips along the opposite side edges, one-way stretch elastic side and back portions secured to the last meninsert to the bottom strip and to the adjacent side rein forcing strip, and additional stitching securing the top of each insert along a relatively short portion of said arcuate top strip adjacent the associated side strip, the tops of saidelastic insertsbeing spaced from each other and the bottoms of said elastic inserts crossing but being unsecured to each other and unsecured to said cup por tions, said inserts being comprised of one-way stretch elastic, stretchable only in a vertical direction, an arcuate elastic reinforcing strip secured along the inner edge of each elastic insert, the bottom portions of said strips crossing in unsecured relation, additional elastic reinforcing strips extending diagonally across an intermediate portion of each insert and reinforcing stitching extending along the exposed inner edge of each arcuate elastic relnforcmg strip.

4. In a brassiere construction, a pair of complementary front portions having first side edge reinforcing strips sewed together at the center, second reinforcing side strips along the opposite side edges, one-way stretch elastic side and back portions secured to the last mentioned reinforcing side strips with complementary fastening means at the ends of said back portions, each of sa1d front portions comprising an inelastic cup portion bounded on its sides by one of said first and second side reinforcing strips and on its bottom by an inelastic bottom strip and on its top by an arcuate inelastic top strip, respectively, a pair of elastic inserts interiorly of each cup portion, each insert extending along the bottom strip a distance slightly greater than half the distance between said first and second side strips, stitching secur-- mg each insert to the bottom strip and to the adjacent side reinforcing strip, and additional stitching securing the top of each insert along a relatively short portion of said arcuate top strip adjacent the associated side strip, the tops of said elastic inserts being spaced from- J V g each other and the bottoms of said elastic inserts crossreinforcing strips being comprised of one-way stretch ing but being unsecured to each other and unsecured to elastic stretchable in a direction conforming to'the stretch said cup portions, said inserts being comprised of one- 7 of the associated insert. 7 7 Way stretch elastic, stretchable only in a vertical direc- 1 tion, an arcuate elastic reinforcing strip secured along 5 V Refei'emes Cited 111 the file-oflthls Patent the inner edge of each elastic insert, the bottom portions U D STATES PATENTS of said strips crossing in unsecuredirelation, additional I elastic reinforcing strips extending diagonally across an g i z intermediate portion of each insert, reinforcing stitching 2899961 a 1 "f g 1959 extending alon the exposed inner edge of each arcuate 10 23231301 Tunic Feb. 2, 1960 v elastic reinforcing strip, said arcuate and said additional 

1. IN A BRASSIERE CONSTRUCTION, A PAIR OF COMPLEMENTARY FRONT PORTION HAVING FIRST SIDE EDGE REINFORCING STRIPS SEWED TOGETHER AT THE CENTER, SECOND REINFORCING SIDE STRIPS ALONG THE OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES, ONE-WAY STRETCH ELASTIC SIDE AND BACK PORTIONS SECURED TO THE LAST MENTIONED REINFORCING SIDE STRIPS WITH COMPLEMENTARY FASTENING MEANS AT THE ENDS OF SAID BACK PORTIONS, EACH OF SAID FRONT PORTIONS COMPRISING AN INELASTIC CUP PORTION BOUNDED ON ITS SIDES BY ONE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND SIDE REINFORCING STRIPS AND ON ITS BOTTOM BY AN INELASTIC BOTTOM STRIP AND ON ITS TOP BY AN ARCUATE INELASTIC TOP STRIP, RESPECTIVELY, A PAIR OF ELASTIC INSERTS INTERIORLY OF EACH CUP PORTION, EACH INSERT EXTENDING ALONG THE BOTTOM STRIP A DISTANCE SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN HALF THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND SIDE STRIPS, STITCHING SECURING EACH INSERT TO THE BOTTOM STRIP AND THE ADJACENT SIDE REINFORCING STRIP, AND ADDITIONAL STITCHING SECURING THE TOP OF EACH INSERT ALONG A RELATIVELY SHORT PORTION OF SAID ARCUATE TOP STRIP ADJACENT THE ASSOCIATED SIDE STRIP, THE TOPS OF SAID ELASTIC INSERTS BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND THE BOTTOMS OF SAID ELASTIC INSERTS CROSSING BUT BEING UNSECURED TO EACH OTHE RAND UNSECURED TO SAID CUP PORTIONS, SAID INSERTS BEING COMPRISED OF ONE-WAY STRETCH ELASTIC, STRETCHABLE ONLY IN A VERTICAL DIRECTION, AND AN ARCUATE ELASTIC REINFORCING STRIP SECURED ALONG THE INNER EDGE OF EACH ELASTIC INSERT, THE BOTTOM PORTIONS OF SAID STRIPS CROSSING IN UNSECURED RELATION. 